313: THE MONSTER THAT YOU ARE FLASHBACK LUKE’S POV I took Harriet’s hand as we strolled down the cobblestone streets of New Haven, the crisp autumn air swirling around us. Tonight was special; I had made reservations at one of the city’s most exclusive restaurants, Le Vingt–Cinq. I could feel her excitement radiating beside me, her eyes moving with so much love. The moment we approached the entrance, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of nervousness. Would everything be perfect? Would she enjoy the evening as much as I hoped she would? Pushing aside my doubts, I held my head high and led her inside. The restaurant’s interior was stunning, with dim lighting casting a warm glow over the elegant decor. A maître d greeted us with a smile and led us to our table near a large window overlooking the city skyline. Harriet’s gasp of awe made my heart swell with pride; I had made the right choice. We settled into our seats, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her. She looked breathtaking, the soft candlelight dancing across her features. Taking a deep breath. to steady my nerves, I reached for her hand across the table. “Harriet,” I began, my voice barely above a whisper. “I wanted tonight to be special because you mean everything to me. I love you more than words can express. Her eyes widened in surprise, a soft smile spreading across her lips. “Luke, I love you too,” she murmured, squeezing my hand in return. With a sense of relief flooding through me, I leaned back in my chair, determined to make this night one to remember. We perused the menu, indulging in dishes we had only dreamed of trying before. Each bite was a symphony of flavors, a testament to the chef’s skill and expertise. And as the evening wore on, our conversation flowed effortlessly, laughter mingling with the gentle hum of the restaurant around us. We talked about everything and nothing, our words weaving together like a tapestry of shared memories and dreams, for the future. 21 THE MONSTER THAT YOU ARE P But it wasn’t just the food or the ambiance that made this night unforgettable; it was the way Harriet looked at me, with love and adoration shining in her eyes. It was the way her laughter rang out like music, filling the space between us with warmth and joy. The dessert plates were cleared away, and I reached into my pocket, fingers brushing against the velvet box hidden inside. I knew the moment was right; I wanted to spend the rest of my life with this incredible woman by my side. Taking a deep breath, I slid the box across the table towards her, my heart pounding in my chest. “Harriet, will you marry me?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper. Her eyes widened in shock, tears shimmering on her lashes as she opened the box to reveal the sparkling ring nestled inside. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as she gazed at the ring, and then she looked up at me, her smile radiant. “Yes, Luke. I will marry you. But you’re engaged to that woman, Ariel. How are we going to deal with that?” “You don’t have to worry about anything. I’ll talk to my grandfather; I’ll change his mind about that woman, and after that, the both of us can get married. So put this ring on.” “No, Luke. I can’t do that. You have to prove to me first that our love is stronger than anything else in this world. So when you’re done ending that engagement with Ariel, I’ll slide in my finger, whatever ring you give me. But for now, that’s not happening. Let’s just enjoy our meal and every moment in this restaurant.” “Okay, Harriet,” I said lowly and let out a sigh, putting the ring in the box and straight into my pocket. Her words really ruined my happiness, but there was some truth to them. Indeed, there was some truth to it. END OF FLASHBACK “What’s with that face, Luke? Are you surprised to see me?” Harriet asked, still smirking at me. I looked down at her because it had been a long since the two of us were this close. And I didn’t even want to get too close to her anymore. Well, I did feel sorry for her when she was in prison, to the point that I even had to visit her. But she was so cruel that she kidnapped my daughter, held her a ctive for a year, and even tried to kill the woman I loved. Wasn’t such a person a monster? That’s the 313 THE MONSTER THAT YOU ARE Harriet I’m talking about right now. She was putting on a black hoodie with a pair of jeans that suited her figure perfectly. But to hell with her and her looks. They might be great to other folks, but to- me, they’re just as hideous as her. “You,” I said coldly, in a whisper. I think I was short on words at the moment because the anger boiling inside of me was way too much for me to even say a damn thing. What are you doing here?” “What am I doing here? I came to the park to watch the little children play, too. Don’t you think you’re the only one who gets to witness the fun?” I couldn’t stop glaring at her. “I ask again, what are you doing here?” This time, my voice was threatening. Like a wolf growling, ready to devour the fool standing in its way. “Don’t think that tone of yours is going to make me afraid. I was in a relationship with you for eight years. So just stop that shit.” “You’re so crazy, Harriet. I can’t keep on wasting my time with a monster like you.” Harriet scoffed, her smirk widening. “Oh, spare me the melodrama, Luke. You knew. exactly what kind of person I was when you got involved with me.” “No, I didn’t. I never imagined you’d stoop so low as to endanger so many lives just to get what you want,” I shot back, my fists clenched at my sides. “And I wanted you, Luke! But you betrayed me. You departed from me in search of that valueless woman who abhorred you to the point of insufficiency.” “Don’t you dare talk trash about Ariel?” Harriet laughed. “Oh, I see your love for her has gone this far, huh?” “Just shut up and walk away before I lose it.” “What are you going to do? Beat the hell out of me the way your good–for–nothing wife did.” “What are you talking about?” “Oh, she didn’t tell you?” 313 THE MONSTER THAT YOU AFL “Tell me what?” I asked with so much bitterness. “Well, your beloved wife, Ariel, is also a monster. She just kidnapped me and tortured me. Do you see all these scars on my face and body? It’s all because of her; she wanted to make my life a living hell, but too bad, I escaped.” “I have no idea about that. But whatever she did to you, you deserved it. After keeping her from her daughter for almost a year and killing her son, what do you expect?” “I didn’t kill her son.” “But your accomplice did. It’s the same thing around here.” “Luke, do you hate me that much?” “Are you seriously asking me that?”
